Seat adjuster



April 4, 1961 l.. WEBERMAN SEAT ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1957 L. WEBERMAN SEAT ADJUSTER April 4, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Filed July 5, 1957 llllrlllJL ILIJ,

IN VEN TOR.

faz/f @Jew/m22 197' 70K/f5 Y L.. WEBERMAN SEAT ADJUSTER April 4, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1957 April 4, 1961 L. wEBERMAN SEAT ADJUSTER Filed July 5, 1957 IN VEN TOR. @0123 Maen/fafa SEAT ADJUSTER Louis Weberman, Detroit, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dely aware Filed July s, 1951, ser. No.v61o,s4is 6 Claims. (Cl. 155-14) f YThis invention relates to a seat adjuster, and more particularly to an automobile -seat adjuster having improved slidable bearing means.

l ce' 2,978,009

compartment. As shown in Fig. 2, there is a separate g channel assembly at each opposite side of the auto-` mobile.1 Except for details of the latch which have no bearing on this invention, the right and left hand channel assemblies are similar and parts in the right hand assembly which are similar to parts in the left hand assembly are designated by the same reefrence character with the addition of a prime blies may be interconnected by one or more stabilizer bars (not shown) to prevent the seat from becoming cocked. An elongated stationary lower channel 12 isv iixedly mounted on the lloor 10 by means of a mounting One feature of the invention'is that it provides an improved seat adjuster; another feature of the invention is that it provides a seat adjuster having novel bearing means for facilitating horizontal adjustment; another feature of -the invention is that the improved construction permits a lower overall channel height in a seat adjuster;

still a further feature of the invention is that it provides a stationary lower channel member having a plurality of elongated bearing surface portions formed in opposite walls thereof, anielongated upper movable channel memberhaving complementary elongated bearing surface portions in opposite walls and a plurality of elongated Vbearing slugs of anti-friction material, as nylon, between said channels and in slidable engagementwith atleast one of the channels; a further feature of the invention is that,

complementary curved bearing surface portion of-thev other channel member. t.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description and drawings, inwhich:V A Fig. l is a vertical longitudinal section through a portion of a vehicle showing one side of the seat adjuster and showing a portion of the seat mountedV thereon;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l, the center portionof the structure between the seat adjusters being broken away to simplify the drawing; Fig. 3 is a detail section through the channel members andthe latch taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a detail section through the channel members and two of the bearing slugs, taken along the line `4-4 of Fig. l;

bracket 14 at the front end and a mounting bracket 16 adjacent the rear end. The channel 12 is secured to the mounting brackets by rivets 18 and the respective brackets are fxedly secured to the oor by bolts 20. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower channel is generally of U-shape in transverse section, having a base 22 and opposite upstandingside walls 24, each terminating in an outwardly turned horizontal llange 26. EachV of these flanges has four longitudinally spaced notches 28 as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4 to provide bearing surface portions or bearing seats.

An elongated upper movable inverted channel 30 is mounted atop the lower channel 12'for slidable movement therealong and a seat 32 is mounted' on the upper channel member. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper channel has a 'base 34 merging at each opposite side in adownwardly extending curved wall 36, each wall 36 being. curved in a predetermined manner, preferably being curved to provide a bearing surface portion. The upper `channel is astride the lower channel with each curved wall extending around and below the horizontal flange portions 26 of the lower channel. f

In order to mount the upper channel on the lower channel for slidable movement therealongthere are a pluv rality of bearing slugs 40 of anti-friction material, preferably nylon, xedly mounted at spaced intervals on the lower channel. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, there are four of these bearing slugs along each side of each of the lower channels, one being fxedly mounted in each of the notchedl bearing seats. Each of the slugs is formed with a longitudinal slot 42 along its inner face for snug reception of the horizontal flange 26 lof the lower channel andeach slug fits into one of the notches cut into these anges. and is'held by the end walls of the notch against longitudinal movement relative to the stationary channel.

Fig. 5 isa view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modi-V i fied form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal.horizontalsection takenalong the `line 6--6 of Fig. 5, the center portion of `the structure between the Vseat adjusters being broken away` to simplify the drawing;

Fig. 7 is a detail section through Vthe channels andtwo of the bearing slugs, taken along the line 7-7 of Fig.

Fig. 8 is a detail? section taken along the line 8--8 The outer surface of each slug. is curvedV as shown at 44 in Fig; 4 on the same curvature as the inner surface of the wall 36 of the upper channel so that the slug engages both channel members throughout substantially its entire length and has sliding engagement with the upper channel front stop shoulder 46 may cooperate with a forward stop 48 onthe lower channel to limit sliding movement in one direction and the rear stop 47 may cooperate with a similar rear stop (not shown) on the lower channel to limit rearward movement.

Latch means are provided to hold the upper channel in a selected position on the lower channel; As shown in Fig. 2the lower channel is formed with a plurality of keeperV notches 50. A movable latch element for cooperation` with-thesenotches is carried on the upper chan- Paltented Apr. 4, l96l The opposite channel assem-` 3 nel. bracket 52 mounted on the upper channel by rivets 54 and a latch 56 is pivotallyV mounted at 58 on this bracket, a torsion spring 60 being employed to bias the latch toward latching engagement with a selected keeper notch 50. The latch on the left hand seat adjuster has an integral handle 56a projecting outwardly therefrom for manual manipulation to release the latch. No manual operator is needed for the latch on the right hand seat adjuster because there is a connecting rod 62 connected between the two latches so that operation of the handle 56a releases both latches. At each side of the seat adjuster there is a spring 64 connected at the forward end to the floor support and at the rearward end to the upper channel to assist in forward sliding movement of the seat.

' Since the anti-friction slugs 40 are of constant thickness throughout substantially their entire length, and since these slugs are in direct engagement with both channel members throughout substantially the entire length of the slugs, much more lateral stability is provided between the upper and lower channels of this seat adjuster than is the case where there is merely point contact from a series of balls or rollers. Furthermore, the long line of engagement reduces wear and, when combined with the inherent characteristics of material such as nylon, reduces or entirely eliminates grooving or brinnelling of the channel.

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a modified form of the invention in which the transverse dimensional shape of the channels is different as is the shape of the bearing slugs and the means for mounting the bearing slugs. In other respects, the species of Figs. -8 is generally similar to the species of Figs. l through 4 (except for the location of the assist springs and details of the latch device) and the description of the basic well known seat adjuster elements will not be repeated. Reference characters similar to those used in Figs. l through 4 are used in Figs. 5 through 8 to identify the common parts.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, there is an elongated stationary lower channel member 70 riveted to the front and rear oor supports 14 and 16, respectively. The channel 70 has a base 72 and opposite walls 74, a portion of each of which is curved inwardly in a predetermined manner, preferably about a given radius, to form bearing surface portions. The elongated upper movable inverted channel member 76 -has a base 78 merging into downwardly depending walls 80, each of which has a portion curved outwardly about the same radius to form elongated bearing surface portions. A plurality of bearing slugs 82 of anti-friction material, preferably nylon, are mounted between the channels, each bearing slug being in slidable engagement with the bearing surface portion of both channel members. As shown best in Figs. 6 and 7, the bearing slugs are cylindrical in form, having the same curvature as the complementary bearing surface portions of the channel members. The lower channel member is formed with detenta 86 and the upper channel member is formed with complementary detents 88 for engagement with the slugs to limit the range of sliding movement.

The latch 57 shown in Fig. 8 is substantially identical with the latch shown in Fig. 3 except in the shape of the parts. In Fig. 8, the connecting rod 62 extends from an ear portion 5611 of the latch member.

The seat adjuster of Figs. 5 through 8 includes all the advantages of stability, easy sliding movement, low height and absence of grooving or brinnelling effect that were described in connection with the latch of Figs. l through 4. Since the cylindrical bearing slugs may slide with reference to both channel members, the sliding movement is subject to less friction and thewear of the parts is halved. As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, the assist springs 64 are carried in the channels, being connected at the front end to the lower channel and at the rear end to the upper channel.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is a U-shaped- While I have shown and described two embodiments of my invention, it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setV forth in the appended claims.

I claim: h

1. A seat adjuster comprising an elongated stationary lower channel member having a plurality of notched bearing seats formed in opposite wall portions, means txedly mounting said lower channel member on a floor support, an elongated upper movable inverted channel member atop said lower channel member and having complementary bearing surface portions formed in opposite side wall portions thereof, at least part of said bearing surface portions being arcuate about a given radius when viewed in transverse section, means for mounting a seat on said upper channel member, and a plurality of elongated bearing slugs of anti-friction material mounted between said channels in sliding engagement with the bearing surface portions of said upper channel and in fixed engagement with said notched bearing seats in said lower channel, each slug having a curved surface portion having the same radius as said bearing surface portion and mating therewith to provide lateral stability between the lower and upper channel members.

2. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim l, wherein each bearing slug has a longitudinal slot for receiving saidl notched bearing seat in the lower channel member. v

3. A seat adjuster comprising an elongated stationary lower track member having a plurality of notched bearing seats formed in opposite wall portions, means fixedly mounting said lower track member on a floor support, an elongated upper movable track member atop said lower track member and having complementary bearing surface portions formed in opposite side wall portions thereof, at least part of said bearing surface portions being arcuate about a given radius when viewed in transverse section, means for mounting a seat on said upper track member, and a plurality of elongated bearing slugs of antifriction material mounted between said tracks in sliding engagement with the bearing surface portions of said upper track and in fixed engagement with said notched bearing seats in said lower track, each slug having a curved surface portion having the same radius as said bearing surface portion and mating therewith to provide lateral stability between the lower and upper track members.

4. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 3 wherein each bearing slug has a longitudinal slot for receiving said notched bearing seat in the lower track member.

5. A seat adjuster comprising an elongated stationary lower track member having a plurality of notched bearing seats formed in opposite wall portions, means fixedly mounting said lower track member on a oor support, an elongated upper movable track member atop said lower track member and having complementary bearingsurface portions formed in opposite side wall portions thereof, at least part of said bearings surface portions encompassing said notched wall portions when viewed in transverse section, means for mounting a seat on said upper track member, and a plurality of elongated bearing slugs of antifriction material mounted between said tracks in sliding engagement with the bearing surfacev receiving said notched bearing seat in the lower track member.

References Cited in the le of this patent 6 Browne Sept. 17, 1935 Abrahamson et al. July 21, 1953 Hutzelman ...l June 19, 1956 Wilmer et al. `luly 31, 1956 Wilmer et al. Aug. 21, 1956 Herlder et al. May 21, 1957 

